Fic - Come Away With Me

[mtnlaurel]

Hey love! You know...I'm not so very much sure if it is deliberate, but someone in this fic smacks of someone I know. Maybe I haven't finished my coffee yet. Not sure. This is truly amazing work and you have me hooked (I'll be gone for a little while, so I expect to come back to at LEAST 2 updates.) OOH! Sorry about Diana being sick, hon. Hope she's feeling well again soon.



Really, back to the fic. You have an amazing gift for detail coupled with skill in writing to not overdue it all--really impressive. I'm so very glad you decided to post this! Must go to work now. Much love,

Lu

[pikescoob]

Those pesky alarm clocks always seem to interrupt dreams just when they're getting good. Hopefully Willow can get up the courage to start a conversation with Tara. I know how difficult it can be to approach someone that you like.



--Michelle

[urnofosiris]

This is certainly interesting Kieli.

This is one of those universes more alternate to most alternate universes. However, Willow is still Willow, Tara is too early to say, but I love the way how you describe her through Willow's thoughts. The second part had me going for a sec, heh. We all have our own very subjective preferences when it comes to fic. I love clear to the point smut, angsty romantic fics, brief sweet little fluffy fics with no plot other than smooching, long sequential novel like fics where you have to be patient to get to the loving, heh, but one thing all fics must have for me and that is Willow and Tara as we know them, two wonderful beautiful complex warm loving living breathing women with the same souls we love. They have to be in character for me, which you manage to do. So please do go on, I prefer this AU over the latest canon of that show any time.

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"I am giving you what you need, not what you want"
-The perfect excuse to be an asshole

[fidds]

ooh great update

i can so imagine Tara playing the piano

i can't believe this is your first AU fic- it's really good

im glad that Willow wanted to find Tara

can't wait for the next update



*Hannah*

********************************************
I just needed someone to talk to, you were just too busy with yourself, you were never there for me to express how i felt ,i just stuffed it down- *STAIND -FADE*

[Kieli]

I'm chuckling at myself because this initially was going to be a vignette of a sort. But then this fic started invading my dreams and all manner of ideas started running riot so apparently it doesn't want to end anytime soon



Rose24: My apologies about confusing you with Willow's club dream. In the past, Willowdreams tended to be a little odd and quite Fanstasia-like. I wanted this one to be a little different...somewhat more mature. She is fantasizing about Tara, after all, and that can get a little...ahem..."mature" as time goes on I wanted to skip over the whole "self-awareness" part with Willow being gay. Everyone has done it and far better than I ever could. So I decided that for this fic, Willow will be comfortable in her own skin, sexuality-wise. I am very pleased that you're enjoying it thus far.



mollyig: Many thanks for the compliment. This chapter was a little difficult in writing because I had a tough time deciding which songs fit the best. After that decision was made, the dialogue just moved along of its own accord.



earthlovinwicca: Happy you could join us! And yes, update soon. Either tonight or tomorrow, I think.



Thanatopsis: Thanks much for the detailed feedback. I had a certain amount of wrestling with my conscience about whether or not this song fic would work with the Kittens who are used to the smut factor (trust me, I count myself amongst the Smut Whores). This just felt so comfortable to me somehow. It's hard work but I'm enjoying every moment of it.



Lu: Hmmm....you recognise someone in this fic? Really? I hadn't noticed. Could it be that I just might be projecting or something? *ponders a moment* Naaahhhh

Diana is doing better thankfully. She forgot her meds one day and that threw her body for a loop. As before I feel privileged to have your impressions. They help keep me going.



pikescoob: Well I have a funny in store for chapter three. Let's just say the conversation between her and Tara may happen before she's really prepared for it. If Willow can just make the leap from fantasy to reality, things should work out according to plan.



Garfield: Good heavens, it's quite a happy surprise to see that you have visited! I agree though, I've made my AU about as far left from center as possible without really intending to. I keep hoping that it will work out for the best I love all that smutty goodness too...no words, just sex.....erm...I mean romance! Yeah yeah, that's the ticket!



fidds: Willow most certainly wants to find Tara. And you can't even begin to imagine the lengths she's going to go through to get to see her

Love is tricky. It is never mundane or daily. You can never get used to it. You have to walk with it, then let it walk with you. You can never balk. It moves you like the tide. It takes you out to sea then lays you on the beach again. Today's struggling pain is the foundation for a certain stride through the heavens. You can run from it but you can never say no. It includes everyone."--Amy Tan "The Hundred Secret Senses"

Edited by: Kieli at: 6/24/02 8:59:20 am

[jdcioffi]

Dude, I love this fic and find that I was hooked right away. You are an excellent writer -- I love the detail with which you write. You really know how to paint a picture.



More, more and more!

JD

"I smell the smelly smell of something that smells smelly!" (SpongeBob Squarepants)

[Kieli]

...you know you guys are making it tougher for me to top the last chapter *chuckle* No worries though, an update is in the offing and in a timely manner besides. Glad you're liking though, JD. Now if I could only poke you for an update on your fic *VBG*

Love is tricky. It is never mundane or daily. You can never get used to it. You have to walk with it, then let it walk with you. You can never balk. It moves you like the tide. It takes you out to sea then lays you on the beach again. Today's struggling pain is the foundation for a certain stride through the heavens. You can run from it but you can never say no. It includes everyone."--Amy Tan "The Hundred Secret Senses"

[LeatherQueen]

Kieli, wonderful update again. I'm really drawn into this, and I loved the way you drew us in with little things... like Willow tossing her clothes about, not caring where they landed as she went to take a bath. Very nice.



And I'm a "renowned beta"?! Wow... I didn't know that. I mean, I haven't even gone through the painful nowning process yet. I guess I skipped that part.



Can't wait for the next part.

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"But when they're playing your song on the jukebox in Hell, you might as well dance." - K. Simpson


"Futile... like a FOX, baby!" - Tara in The Late Shift by wiccachica

[Kieli]

LQ: Well it's good that you missed that whole "nowning" bit...it's tough on the hands and sometimes painful to the tuckus....all that time sitting, reading and such.

I'm happy that everyone seems to like the subtleties. I usually like them to a certain point which is why I'm trying my damndest not to overdo it. I still have about four chapters to go yet! *faint* Or more, depending on where my muse decides to lead me by the nose.



My thanks for any and all feedback. Even if you hate it

Love is tricky. It is never mundane or daily. You can never get used to it. You have to walk with it, then let it walk with you. You can never balk. It moves you like the tide. It takes you out to sea then lays you on the beach again. Today's struggling pain is the foundation for a certain stride through the heavens. You can run from it but you can never say no. It includes everyone."--Amy Tan "The Hundred Secret Senses"

[ally02]

He he he he - still laughing at Willow's dream. "All gemini's to the raspberry hats!" lol

Anyhoo...so honoured that you read my fic...actually honoured that ANYONE reads my fic! lol

Loving this story so far - need more, more I tell you! *cough*

Oh and Willow stripping, thanks for the mental images



love Aly xxxxxxxx

You cannot have more catnip! You have a catnip problem!

[Kieli]

*ahem* Always happy to oblige someone's overactive imagination



[edited to add: did I mention that there would be an update tonight? ]

Love is tricky. It is never mundane or daily. You can never get used to it. You have to walk with it, then let it walk with you. You can never balk. It moves you like the tide. It takes you out to sea then lays you on the beach again. Today's struggling pain is the foundation for a certain stride through the heavens. You can run from it but you can never say no. It includes everyone."--Amy Tan "The Hundred Secret Senses"

Edited by: Kieli at: 6/24/02 5:01:23 pm

[Kieli]

Author's Note: There will probably be two updates tonight as I could not seem to help myself for some reason. No songs in this first update though. I'm sure you won't miss them all that much

Chapter Three: Friends Are a Mixed Blessing

Tapping the eraser end of a pencil impatiently on her slightly tanned brow, Willow stared at her monitor screen for what seemed like a century. She’d gone over the same line of code eighteen times and had not managed to fix the bug in it once! “This is not cool, Wills. Get your head back into the game…” Her concentration was indeed severely lacking. Ghost images of that morning’s dream were flitting about in her head, making even simple thoughts difficult to maintain. Groaning in frustration, Willow dropped her head to her desk, banging it repeatedly. Whump! Willow practically hit the ceiling as a huge stack of C++ programming books was dropped unceremoniously by her head.

“Well FINALLY! I thought I’d have to strip naked and do the Funky Chicken on your desk before I got your attention. I’ve only been calling your name for the past five minutes,” Becca grumbled, ever so slightly annoyed.

“S-sorry, Bec. My mind is kinda somewhere else today,” Willow quickly looked back at her monitor, knowing full well that she was blushing straight up to her scalp.

Becca cocked a curious eyebrow at this reaction. Leaning on the desk, her hazel eyes bored directly into Willow’s green ones. “Awright, luv. Spill it. All of it. Leave nothing out. Who is she and is she good enough for you?”

Shifting uneasily under her unwavering stare, Willow knew she had no choice but to fess up. Becca was like a bulldog that way; once she latched onto something, she rarely let go until she had it. “Oh well…best get it all out now. Lord knows, she won’t let it go until I do.”

“Well, it’s kinda like this…you know that coffee place down on South Street that I’ve been hanging out at after work?”

Becca shrugged noncommittally. “Sure. It’s a cool place. Not that you’ve ever taken me there.”

Willow ignored that last bit and pressed on. “Well, one day, I was just sitting there and this girl comes up and asks for the extra chair at my table. I swear to you, I never had a woman give me fever like that before in my life. Problem is, I can’t seem to talk to her. I get near her and my face freezes up like the engine on my dad’s old Mercury. You know me, I’m almost NEVER at a loss for words. She’s in my dreams, she’s in my head! 24/7!” She groaned and laid her head down sideways on her desk. “What am I gonna do?!”

Becca stared at Willow for a long moment and shook her head sadly. “Looks like you’ve got it bad, Red. You’ve gone and fell in love. Haven’t I taught you anything?!”

Willow looked up long enough to give her the evil eye. “You are so NOT helpful here! I need answers, Oh Lesbian Love Goddess! What to do?”

Becca shrugged. “Dunno. Let me ponder on it for a while and see what I come up with. Meantime, we’re still on for tonight, eh? I hear there’s fun to be had at the Tin Angel after this lecture. All those intellectual types lookin’ to let their hair down and such. Perfect for distracting you for a little bit until we can plan your next course of action.”

“Oooohhhh noooo…I think I’d rather be dead.”

“Hey now! That’s what mates are for! To get you lovin’ when you need it most!” Becca beamed happily after dispensing this nugget of wisdom. Willow could only hold her head in her hands and moan pitifully.

**********************************************

Later that evening, Willow found herself surrounded by people in the lobby of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Normally, the lecture that Becca had dragged her to would have been held in Logan Hall, home of the College of Arts and Sciences, but a recent fire had rendered the lecture hall unsuitable. She was enthralled by how large the foyer of the Museum really was, as it easily housed the over five hundred students, faculty and guests that had turned out for the evening.

“Fabu, isn’t it?” Becca remarked under her breath. Willow was constantly amazed at how she could carry on a conversation without moving her lips.

“Actually it’s really cool,” Willow replied. “I kinda regret not coming here before.”

“No worries, luv. You can have all the time you need later on. Right now, I am in dire need of a whiskey and soda. Plus, we need to find our seats in all of this mayhem.”

Willow nodded in agreement, allowing herself to be led by Becca into the Harrison Auditorium where the lecture would ultimately be held.

After several minutes and two minor mishaps, they finally found their seats about three rows from the podium. Willow sank gratefully into the maroon plush cushions, instantly regretting the decision to wear heels instead of more sturdy flats. She was glad they made it in time, as the lights dimmed a moment later and a rather dry, regal looking woman professor stepped up to the lecturn.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, esteemed colleagues and guests. Welcome to the University of Pennsylvania’s Women of Greatness Lecture Series. Tonight, we have a treat in store for you. We were fortunate to be granted a special lecture from a visiting professor from University of California, Sunnydale. She’s co-authored several books on women in literature, women in Wicca History and women who’ve changed helped change the face of history. She is also a practicing Wiccan. I am pleased to introduce, Dr. Tara Maclay.”

Willow nearly sprayed her drink all over the guy seated in front of her when Tara’s name was announced. Her mouth hung agape and her eyes were so wide, she almost lost a contact lens. She grabbed Becca’s arm and began to shake her frantically.

“That’s her! That’s her! That’s the woman from the coffee shop!” she hissed.

“Hey hey, luv! Watch the suit!” Becca managed to untangle Willow’s fingers from her aching arm, removing the drink from Willow’s hand in the process. “So that’s the one, eh? Gotta say, Wills, you definitely have an eye for the ladies,” she smirked.

Amid thunderous applause, Tara emerged from behind the curtains at the corner of the podium clad in an attractively tailored black silk Donna Karan pant suit. Her jacket lapels were cut low enough so that her lush cleavage showed through. Her blue eyes sparkled like sapphires in the illumination from the track lighting overhead. It was practically a given that she had the attention of almost everyone in the room.

Willow put her hands over her face, totally shocked at the events that had unfolded before her. Becca smirked evilly and elbowed her lightly. “Relax, babe. Just think, you wanted a chance to tell her how you feel, and now, your prayers may just have been answered!” Cackling wickedly, she sat back, totally unrepentant, as Willow downed her drink as well as Becca’s in two gulps. It was going to be a long night.


END CHAPTER THREE


Love is tricky. It is never mundane or daily. You can never get used to it. You have to walk with it, then let it walk with you. You can never balk. It moves you like the tide. It takes you out to sea then lays you on the beach again. Today's struggling pain is the foundation for a certain stride through the heavens. You can run from it but you can never say no. It includes everyone."--Amy Tan "The Hundred Secret Senses"

Edited by: Kieli at: 6/12/03 2:08 pm

[Zahir al Daoud]

Okay, love the twist. Its fun and a nice surprise and giggle-worthy.



But...is Tara really a PhD at age...what? Twenty one? Twenty two? I know, I know, pick pick pick...who's to say what she'd be like if she had access to a really top-notch education at an early enough age (no way you can convince me the Mclays in the show were even much interested in her education).



But I digress. Liked the update very much. Very, very much. Am eagerly awaiting more.

"O Let my name be in the Book of Love!
If it be there I care not of that other Book above.
Strike it out! Or write it in anew, but
Let my name be in the Book of Love!"
--Omar Kayam

[Kieli]

Diana received her PhD at age 27 (edited because Diana corrected me about the age). She started college at a rather early age (16). It usually only takes one four or five years to get a PhD, depending on the programme and when you start. Trust me, education does not necessarily change the person...it just makes them a whole lot smarter. Education also does not necessarily coincide with personality. I went to private school my whole life (since age 2 when I started Montessori)...I'm pretty much the same person with the same insecurities. My experiences are what have shaped, changed or even added to my personality. No one can really say what Tara would be like, with or without education. My problem is that I never really stipulated exactly what age Willow and Tara are in this fic so everyone is assuming that Willow moved away directly after college. That is not necessarily the case, but I chose not to address that because I felt it was unnecessary and not important to the story at hand.



That is why this is AU....my own little universe. The progression IS logical, just not the way you would like to see it Thanks for being so observant, David. Always keeping me on my toes.



Toni

Love is tricky. It is never mundane or daily. You can never get used to it. You have to walk with it, then let it walk with you. You can never balk. It moves you like the tide. It takes you out to sea then lays you on the beach again. Today's struggling pain is the foundation for a certain stride through the heavens. You can run from it but you can never say no. It includes everyone."--Amy Tan "The Hundred Secret Senses"

Edited by: Kieli at: 6/24/02 7:22:53 pm

[LeatherQueen]

Ah, another lovely update. And when that lecture was mentioned, I had a feeling something like this would happen. But oh... Tara's a professor at UC Sunnydale?! Very interesting. Can't wait to see the next part.

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"But when they're playing your song on the jukebox in Hell, you might as well dance." - K. Simpson


"Futile... like a FOX, baby!" - Tara in The Late Shift by wiccachica

[The Rose24]

WOW. Excellent!!! Did Becca set this up? BTW, she is quite a very interesting character.

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.

Tara: Willow, I got so lost.
Willow: I found you. I will always find you.

Willow: Hi, um Tara. I was wondering maybe you want to go out some time for coffee? food? Kisses and gay love?

[Kieli]

Heh, sorry about that, LQ. For some reason, I couldn't resist. It's the whole "She was there the whole time and I never knew it?! Damn me to hell!" kinda deal.



Rose: No surprisingly enough, Becca managed to get herself in hot water without really knowing it. Being a smug wench didn't help her sitch any but ya know, them's the breaks



And, ya know, Chapter Four is close to being done. Have a couple of problems in one area but nothing a little brainstorming while fixing a PC can't fix.

Love is tricky. It is never mundane or daily. You can never get used to it. You have to walk with it, then let it walk with you. You can never balk. It moves you like the tide. It takes you out to sea then lays you on the beach again. Today's struggling pain is the foundation for a certain stride through the heavens. You can run from it but you can never say no. It includes everyone."--Amy Tan "The Hundred Secret Senses"

Edited by: Kieli at: 6/24/02 9:03:58 pm

[Thanatopsis]

Definitely a nice little twist with that last chapter, not just Tara, but her being a professor at UC Sunnydale too. I actually just assumed they were older than 22 when I started reading this, I don't know why. Plus, it's AU, maybe Tara was some sort of prodigy, got her degree early, that sort of thing. Looking forward to chapter 4, definitely. Oh and Becca's fun.

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No, it's great... if we want to make ferns invisible, or communicate with shrimp, I've got the goods right here.

[mollyig]

I think its good that Becca is there too. Otherwise I think Willow would convince herself not to approach Tara.

Adding up the total of a love that's true, multiply life by the power of two
Indigo Girls

[ally02]

Wow wow and wow argh I need more! Lol to the Oh lesbian love goddess! I am gonna have to take that as my new saying now and confuss all my friends! Wooohoo! Tara's a doctor type person...never saw that coming! lol Also thinking that Willow is going to be a wee bit drunk! More soon please! Please please pleeeeeeaaaase!!



love Aly xxxxxxx

You cannot have more catnip! You have a catnip problem!

[Miss1234Kitty]

Wow! How could I have missed this? I'm loving it so far. It's so nice to see that Willow's made a new friend as well. Becca seems at first to be totally different to Buffy, but then you see the similarities - they both annoy Will occasionally but are really good friends. Also, it's nice that Becca is gay and helping Willow to deal with that, rather than Buffy just ignoring it.



Gem

Tara: There's just so much to work through... and can you just be kissing me now?

[pikescoob]

Heh...Willow's reaction was hilarious. Maybe after she drinks all the liquor in the room she'll have enough confidence to approach Tara.



--Michelle

[Kieli]

Well folks, I might wrap this one up in maybe one or two chapters. People seem to be losing interest but I like the story so I follow through. I am writing the outline now for a vignette of sorts called "She's A Keeper" which I might post in a week or so depending how the writing for "Come Away with Me" goes.



Thanatopsis: *chuckle* AU fic is kind of interesting that way. No assumptions can be made, almost nothing is going according to canon and usually fun stuff is in the offing. Chapter Four is coming, rest assured. It's rather sweet on one hand and totally Willowtrouble on the other. I'm happy you like Becca. I think I may have a tough time convincing a certain someone that I only just borrowed her name and not the rest of her character traits. Hear that, Lu? All the other stuff is just coincidental! Honest!



mollyig: Well Becca being there is not going to affect how or when Willow approaches Tara (as you'll see in Chapter Four)...she's just supposed to be a supportive friend, in which she has totally failed her mission. She is an evil bugger, ain't she?



ally02: Oh lord, naming yourself the Lesbian Love Goddess...that should fit in perfectly with the "evil", "tortuous", and "wicked" descriptions I gave you for keeping us hanging on the edge like you have. Naughty thing.



MissKitty: Thanks for coming to visit! I tried to shy away from using Buffy here mostly because Willow has to do this all on her own. Since Buffy is mostly familiar with Boystown, she would not be the slightest bit helpful in this sitch. Becca has some of the streetwise wisdom and is just a plain wild child. She makes for more interesting reading *chuckle*



Pikescoob: Well now, Willow and alcohol are a strange combination, usually resulting in off key singing. However, I've been to these lectures a time or two and know that the catering staff can be damned cheap when it comes to the booze so her drink was probably as watered down as is permissible. The only stuff that is usually served unadulterated is the wine. And that floweth freely. But I digress. Everyone's speculations will be answered (or not, depending on the speculation) in Chapter Four....which I'm posting tonight...I swear I really am!



Thanks again for the feedback from those who were kind enough to post. Your thoughts and comments have been motivating, funny as all hell and thought provoking. I can't tell you enough how I appreciate it.



Toni

Love is tricky. It is never mundane or daily. You can never get used to it. You have to walk with it, then let it walk with you. You can never balk. It moves you like the tide. It takes you out to sea then lays you on the beach again. Today's struggling pain is the foundation for a certain stride through the heavens. You can run from it but you can never say no. It includes everyone."--Amy Tan "The Hundred Secret Senses"

[LeatherQueen]

Well, I dunno about anyone else, but I'm definitely loving this story and not losing interest. And I look forward to reading these vignettes you hinted at. Definitely need something to perk me up... it's horrendously hot today here in nasty Texas.

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"But when they're playing your song on the jukebox in Hell, you might as well dance." - K. Simpson


"Futile... like a FOX, baby!" - Tara in The Late Shift by wiccachica

[Jae]

Greetings and salutations!



First of all, I'm sorry that I've been reticent about responding, so it's just a rather bad habit of mine, I'm afraid. This is currently one of my favourite stories on the board, and I just want you to know that my interest is not flagging in the least. I've been thoroughly enjoying this, so please, keep it up!



Admiringly,

Jae

[Kieli]

LQ: Nasty Texas, eh? Hello neighbour! It is humid as all hell here in Amarillo (which is actually kind of surprising since this part of Texas is mostly desert!). I think you'll like Chapter Four. Seriously. Although, I have to admit, after going back and re-reading Chapter 3, I realise that it was giggle-inducing. Don't know what I was thinkin'



Jae: Don't be shy! Come on in with the rest of us W/T AU nuts. The jazz is hot, the pints are cold and the girls are juuuuuust about to get started

Love is tricky. It is never mundane or daily. You can never get used to it. You have to walk with it, then let it walk with you. You can never balk. It moves you like the tide. It takes you out to sea then lays you on the beach again. Today's struggling pain is the foundation for a certain stride through the heavens. You can run from it but you can never say no. It includes everyone."--Amy Tan "The Hundred Secret Senses"

[fairydust]

Hey I loved the update. I didnt get a chance to read it until this morning, but it was great. I cant wait for the next chapters. And I can definitely say that I am not losing interest, write more soon please

*****Faye*****I LOVE YOU JENNA

[tiyodragon]

Howdy Neighbor,



Amarillo huh? Sorry to hear that.



I'm in Dallas.



You are frikkin' hilarious. I laughed out loud in my office, which of course drew unwanted attention....they would never understand the pens.



Lesbian Love Goddess???-perfect willowage.



tiyodragon

[Kieli]

tiyodragon: Hey Dallas! I was just there a few weeks ago. I was at the Apparel Market testing out some Point of Sale software for my boss. Can I just say that NONE of your highway layouts there make any damned sense??! Now I'm a Philly chick born and bred and Dallas just gave me fits (not like Ft. Worth is any better but it is slightly quieter ) Glad to have you drop by my fic. It always helps to have neighbours give you a hand *G*



fairydust: As soon as you speak, thy commands are done. More to come, I promise.



Toni

Love is tricky. It is never mundane or daily. You can never get used to it. You have to walk with it, then let it walk with you. You can never balk. It moves you like the tide. It takes you out to sea then lays you on the beach again. Today's struggling pain is the foundation for a certain stride through the heavens. You can run from it but you can never say no. It includes everyone."--Amy Tan "The Hundred Secret Senses"

[tiyodragon]

Dallas gave you fits because you didn't have the handy-dandy tour guide! I35 is always under construction somewhere, and of course you have to understand perpetual loops to navigate anything east/west.



Let me know the next time you travel this way.



Enjoying the fic! Hope to see more soon.



tiyodragon